Gauge: 6s x 9r = 1 inchExact gauge is not essential for this project, but be sure to knit with smaller needles than your yarn recommends.
Materials: 40 yards of Yarn 1 (Y1) undyed DK weight yarn, 40 yards of Yarn 2 (Y2) Self Striping DK Weight yarn, 1 set #2 (2.75 mm) DPNs, 12 in #2 (2.75 mm) circular needle. 1 skein black DMC floss or 2-3 yards of black sport weight yarn or string, Polyester Fiber-fill, 1 tapestry needle.
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Stitch Instructions
k - knit; p - purl; st(s) - stitch(es); CO - Cast On; sl - slip st purl-wise from left needle to right needle; ybwd - Move working yarn to back; DPN(s) - Double pointed needle(s); rem - remain(s), remaining; yfwd - Bring working yarn in front; BO - Bind off; unwkd - unworked
Turkish Cast on - Tie a slip-knot in the yarn, hold DPN horizontally with a scap peice of yarn (double thickness) below it (if you have an extra #2 circ any length, you can use it instead). Place the slip-knot onto both needles & tighten with working yarn hanging down. Wrap yarn counterclockwise towards the right until you have half the number of wraps as CO sts (pattern says “CO 32”, you should have 16 wraps.) yfwd between the two needles. Slide circular needle towards the right, positioning the nylon cable in the bottom half of loops with the tips dangling. Insert a third needle purl-wise into the first loop & purl a stitch & slide it off the left needle as you would do with regular sts. Repeat this step for the appropriate number of loops on the left needle. You now have the proper number of stitches. Half on 1 needle and half on the other.
p enc (purl encroachment) - Sl 1 st from the Left needle onto the Right needle. Pick up a st below next st on left needle, sl 1 st from right needle back onto left needle, p2tog
k enc (knit encroachment) - sl 1 st from the Left needle onto the Right needle. Pick up a st below next st on left needle, sl 1 st from right needle back onto left needle, k2tog
Consolidate - Divide stitches evenly onto two needles. Hold them horizontal & parallel to each other, insert a 3rd needle knit-wise into the 1st st on your front needle then insert the needle knit-wise into the 1st st on the back needle. k2tog.
k2tog - insert right needle into two stitches purl-wise through the back loop of each stitch, knit them together.
RS -The right side of your work that appears mostly as stockinette st.
Short Rows - A technique that adds shape by partially knitting a row. There will be unwkd sts left over when you turn back to knit the other way. Do not sl unwkd sts from left-hand needle to right-hand needle.
INTRODUCTION
The majority of this project is knitted in the round, but there are sections that are knitted flat such as when short row shaping is required. The size of the finished item can be easily adjusted by using larger yarn and larger needles. However, this pattern has been designed with our accompanying kits in mind so individual results will vary. To obtain the best results, Mybootee DK or Mybootee Sock Piggee/Turtle Kits are recommended. Please contact us if you have any questions or need clarification.
The majority of this project is knitted in the round, but there are sections that are knitted flat such as when short row shaping is required. The size of the finished item can be easily adjusted by using larger yarn and larger needles. However, this pattern has been designed with our accompanying kits in mind so individual results will vary. To obtain the best results, Mybootee DK or Mybootee Sock Piggee/Turtle Kits are recommended. Please contact us if you have any questions or need clarification.
INSTRUCTIONS:This little guy is knitted from the belly up. You will attach the limbs & head as you make them, then finish off with the shell.
BELLY
Use DPNs to work in the round.
Round 1: With Y2 CO 60, join ends and begin knitting in the round being careful not to twist sts when joining.
*Round 2 & all even rounds: knit all sts.
Odd Rounds: Decrease evenly by 10 sts.*
Repeat from * to * until 30 sts rem.
*Odd Rounds: Decrease evenly by 6 sts.
All even Rounds: knit all sts*
Repeat from * to * until 12 sts rem.
Final Round: (k2tog) 6 times, (6 sts rem). Cut yarn leaving a 6 inch tail and using a tapestry needle, thread it through all the sts removing them from the knitting needles as you go. Pull tight & tie off on the purl side of the work. Don’t worry if it does not lay flat of if it looks kind of small, this will go away once you stuff him.
To set up for the limbs, use the circular needle to pick up 60 sts along the cast on edge of the belly with RS facing you. Knit all 60 sts once then put to the side & begin limbs.
TAILUse DPNs & your favorite cast on method & Y1 to CO 4 sts
Round 1: knit all sts once
*Even Rounds: Increase evenly by 2 sts.
Odd Rounds: knit all sts.*
Repeat from * to * until 12 sts rem.
Consolidate the sts (see stitch instructions). 6 sts rem. Cut yarn & leave approx 6 in to prevent sts coming undone during the attachment step.
To attach tail, pick up the belly and with the RS facing you, and locate first 6 sts on the left-hand needle. Align them with the 6 sts of the tail, and consolidate them. Do not continue knitting, put to the side. You'll make the next two legs, then you'll attach them (starting with the next 6 sts of the belly).
LEGS (make 2)Using Y1 and the Turkish Cast-On Technique (see stitch instructions) CO 24. The slip-knot does not count as one of your stitches, Don’t forget to purl a row. Work short rows on two DPNs with only 12 sts
Row 1: sl 1, k until 1 st rem, turn, Row 2: sl 1, p until 1 st rem, turn, Row 3: sl 1, k until 2 sts rem, turn,
Row 4: sl 1, p until 2 sts rem, turn,
Row 5: sl 1, k until 3 sts rem, turn,
Row 6: sl 1, p until 3 sts rem, p enc, turn, (2 sts rem unwkd)
Row 7: sl 1, k until 3 sts remain, k enc, turn, (2 sts rem unwkd)
Row 8: sl 1, p until 2 sts remain, p enc, turn, (1 sts rem unwkd)
Row 9: sl 1, k until 2 sts remain, k enc, turn, (1 sts rem unwkd)
Row 10: sl 1, p until end of row, do not p enc
Row 11: sl 1, k until end of row, do not k enc. Do not turn because you are at the end of the short rows. If you used a circular needle for the cast on knit all of the sts on it. If you used scrap yarn, slip all the sts onto DPNs then knit them all. This is where each round will begin for now.
Rounds 1-5: knit all 24 sts. Divide sts evenly between two needles. Don't worry if it's not exactly symmetrical, this will resolve when you stuff it with fiberfill.
*Even rounds: To decrease each round by 4 sts, k2tog at each end of each needle.
Odd rounds: knit all sts.*
Repeat from * to * until 12 sts rem. Stuff with fiber-fill until it reaches desired firmness, consolidate the sts (see st instructions). 6 sts rem. Cut yarn & leave approx 6 in to prevent sts coming undone during attachment. Place 1st leg onto a piece of scrap yarn or st saver tool until you finish the 2nd leg.
To attach the 1st leg,* align the next 6 sts of the belly, with the 6 sts of the 1st leg & consolidate.* K12. Repeat from * to * for the second leg. Do not continue knitting. Put to the side. You'll make the head next, then you'll attach it (starting with the next 6 sts of the belly).
HEAD
Pay special attention to the shaping for this piece or it will be crooked. Using Y1 and the Turkish Cast On Technique (see stitch instructions) CO 32. The slip-knot does not count as one of your stitches, Don’t forget to purl a row. Work short rows on two DPNs with only 16 sts
Row 1: sl 1, k until 1 st rem, turn,
Row 2: sl 1, p until 1 st rem, turn,
Row 3: sl 1, k until 2 sts rem, turn,
Row 4: sl 1, p until 2 sts rem, turn,
Row 5: sl 1, k until 3 sts rem, turn,
Row 6: sl 1, p until 3 sts rem, turn,
Row 7: sl 1, k until 4 sts rem, turn,
Row 8: sl 1, p until 4 sts rem, p enc, (3 sts rem unwkd)
Row 9: sl 1, k until 4 sts rem, k enc, (3 sts rem unwkd)
Row 10: sl 1, p until 3 sts rem, p enc, (2 sts rem unwkd)
Row 11: sl 1, k until 3 sts rem, k enc, (2 sts rem unwkd)
Row 12: sl 1, p until 2 sts rem, p enc, (1 sts rem unwkd)
Row 13: sl 1, k until 2 sts rem, k enc, (1 sts rem unwkd)
Row 14: sl 1, p until end of row, do not p enc
Row 15: sl 1, k until end of row, do not k enc. Do not turn because you are at the end of the short rows. If you used a circular needle for the cast on knit all of the sts on it. If you used scrap yarn, slip all the sts onto DPNs then knit them all. This is where each round will begin for now. Don't worry if it's not exactly symmetrical, this will resolve when you stuff it with fiberfill.
Rounds 1-5: knit all 32 sts.
Round 6: (k1, k2tog, k1) 4 times, k16
Round 7: knit all 28 sts.
Round 8: k2, k2tog x 4, k18
Round 9: knit all 24 sts.
Round 10: k2tog, k4, k2tog, (k3, k2tog, k3) twice
Round 11: knit all 20 sts
Round 12: k6, k2tog, (k2, k2tog) x3, k2tog.
Round 13: knit all 16 sts
Round 14: k7, k2tog x 4, k1
Round 15: knit all 12 sts. Stuff with fiber-fill until it reaches desired firmness, consolidate the stitches (see stitch instructions). Cut yarn leaving approximately 6 inches.
To attach the head, align the next 6 sts of the belly, with the 6 sts of the head & consolidate.
Repeat LEG instructions for the rem legs and attach them in the same way you did before. Whew! Now you've made it through the hardest part. k3. This is where each round starts from here until you finish. This is also the best time to weave in all loose ends. The nice thing is that you can weave them in on the WS of the belly and then just leave them there. There is no need to cut the excess because it will just be included with the stuffing. Also you can now use any combination of #2 needles that is comfortable for you to work with.
SHELLRounds 1-2: purl all 60 sts
Rounds 3-14: knit all 60 sts
*Odd Rounds: decrease evenly by 6 sts.
Even Rounds: knit all sts.*
Repeat from * to * until 30 sts rem. Take a moment to stuff the bottom half of the body but don’t stuff too full. You will be stuffing more before you close the top.
Remaining Rounds: Decrease evenly by 6 sts until 6 sts rem. Cut yarn leaving a 6-inch tail, and using a tapestry needle thread it through the remaining stitches. Do not pull tight. Finish stuffing with fiber-fill until your desired firmness, then pull tight, tie off, & weave in loose end.
FINISHING
Use the black yarn or DMC floss to embroider on the facial features.
I start with a chain stitch for the mouth, then I make the nostrils, followed by the eyes, and eyebrows. It takes a little practice to get the embroidery to look right, if you have not already had experience with it. If you prefer not to embroider, you can use buttons or safety eyes. Another option would be to use a needle and thread to sew on felt eyes.
Use the black yarn or DMC floss to embroider on the facial features.
I start with a chain stitch for the mouth, then I make the nostrils, followed by the eyes, and eyebrows. It takes a little practice to get the embroidery to look right, if you have not already had experience with it. If you prefer not to embroider, you can use buttons or safety eyes. Another option would be to use a needle and thread to sew on felt eyes.
